Former 49ers Legend Vernon Davis Gets Hall of Fame Nod

Former San Francisco 49ers legend Vernon Davis has been elected to the Gridiron Greats Hall of Fame. He will be enshrined as a part of the 2025 class.

Joining Davis in this year’s induction class are former defensive lineman and two-time Super Bowl champion Leonard Marshall; former cornerback and two-time Super Bowl champion Marc Collins; former Chicago Bears center and six-time pro bowler Olin Kreutz; and 10-time Canadian Football League all-star and Canadian Football Hall of Famer Garney Henley.

They will be honored for their outstanding achievements on and off the field at the 14th annual Mike Ditka's Hall of Fame Gala in Chicago on May 30. The dinner and induction ceremony is hosted by the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, a non-profit that provides medical and financial assistance to former NFL players and their families in dire need.

“Gridiron Greats is an incredible organization that continues to help so many former NFL players who are paying the price physically, mentally and emotionally as a result of their time on the field,” said Davis. "It is a privilege to lend my hand to these men who helped build, shape and mold the NFL into what it is today, and an absolute honor to be recognized for those efforts."

The gala will also honor Angela Biletnikoff, wife of former Oakland Raiders legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff, with the Sylvia Mackey Woman of the Year Award. The award recognizes women who are making a difference in the communities they serve. In addition, Hall of Fame coach and former Gridiron Greats board member Marv Levy will proudly present Chris Draft with the Marv Levy Impact Award, which recognizes an advocate for the Armed Forces who has dedicated much of their time and influence supporting and serving the military community.

“We are absolutely thrilled to honor this incredible Class of 2025,” said Gridiron Greats Executive Director Karen Wright. “Their legacies are ones of greatness, both as athletes and as compassionate leaders in their communities.”

A first-team All-American at the University of Maryland, Davis was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round (6th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft. He went on to have a successful 14-year NFL career, playing for the 49ers (2006-2014), Denver Broncos (2015), and Washington Commanders (2016-2019). He was a two-time Pro Bowler, an All-Pro, and won Super Bowl 50 with Peyton Manning and the Broncos in 2016. He ranks 11th all-time among tight ends in receiving yards (7,562) and seventh in receiving touchdowns (63).

Since retiring from football in 2020, Davis has continued to prove his talents go far beyond the football field, including involvement in the arts, business, and philanthropy. He has successfully transitioned into acting and producing in film and television; ventured into the business world with several purpose-driven companies; gotten involved with sports ownership; and emerged as a dedicated philanthropist, particularly with the Vontae Davis Family Foundation.

The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund is a non-profit 501 C3 organization that provides hands-on assistance to help retired NFL players and their families deal with the many hardships they face after football. The services include medical assistance, transportation costs for medical evaluations and surgeries, housing assistance, financial assistance for utilities, medication, and coordination of services for food, automotive payments, and childcare.

Currently, the organization is led by a Board of Directors that includes Chicago Bears legend and Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher; award-winning sports broadcaster and NFL Veteran Mike Golic; president of Major League Baseball’s Oakland Athletics Marc Badain; CEO of TMI Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery Vinnie Hudson; and legendary NFL player and coach Mike Ditka (Emeritus).

Gridiron Greats has been inducting members into its Hall of Fame since 2009. Past inductees include: Al Davis, Brian Urlacher, Dick Vermeil, Franco Harris, Gale Sayers, Herschel Walker, Howie Long, Jim Plunkett, Marv Levy, Mike Singletary, Ricky Waters, Ron Jaworski, Steve Largent, and Warrick Dunn, among so many others.